08.21.08
Posted in Back in the Day, Road Races, Mr. Noise, Clubs, Bakersfield Track Club, Bakersfield Distance Project at 10:28 pm by Administrator
a reader wrote me today and was wondering what the course record was on the course. from the btc website, former driller joel cardoza ran 15:41 in 2006. i seem to remember that this time maybe suspect however.
the reader also inquired about the age of the race. he thought it was a new race but it has been around for awhile. i think it got started in the late 80s and i definitely ran it in the early 90s.
in fact, ten or more years ago it was the last race that i ran for the most part. i won the overall point series and it was my last race i seriously ran. in 2006, my son christopher won the series and it was the first race he ever won.
the btc summer series started out as the darryl easter memorial handicap series. darryl easter died at a young age and left behind several young children and a wife. i ran with darryl and he put on some local races back in the 80s too.
my earliest memories of this series was that it was run in winter and was held on sunday afternoons. the race also started up the road a bit. the finish was uphill near the tunnel where the bike path leads to now.
the bike path didnt exist back then either. the race was up what was called rattlesnake gulch and then back down. it was all uphill and then downhill. the turnaround was almost to the road at the top of the hill. the road the race was on wasnt much of a road.
it was dirt with a lot of rocks and ruts. watching ones footing was key and many an ankle was turned on the old course. it was a pure strength runner’s course back in the day.
later the race moved to tuesday nights and the start was moved too. i still believe it is the hardest 5k course around.
Join Andy at the biggest poker site in the world - PokerStars.com.
Permalink
08.10.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Road Stories, College, Education at 1:58 pm by Administrator
day two of of our uc tour was to uc davis. it was due east of the bay area and seemed real close to sacramento (15 miles?). i always thought davis was further north myself.
the surrounding are looked like kern county foothills with a few more trees. the university wasnt that impressive looking but we did like davis. it looked like bakersfield’s westchester/downtown area with a lot more trees and bikes.
i could see leaving my son here to go to school. the place was mellow and very non-threatening. felt like home but nicer. it seemed to a place that would be easy to go to school. maybe a little dull but definitely not crazy like berkeley..
then since it was on the way home, we headed to uc merced.
dont make the same mistake we did. there is no reason to visit uc merced. it is really sad. first off it is miles from the freeway and the town. second, it looks like frontier high school. no offense to frontier but a high school shouldnt look better than a UC
Join Andy at the biggest poker site in the world - PokerStars.com.
Permalink
08.03.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Road Stories, College, WTF, Education, Worst Person in the World at 9:00 am by Administrator
what started out as me doing the san francisco marathon ended up being a tour of the northern califiornia’s universities. after i survived the LA marathon, i thought “why not san fran” but after signing up i realized i didnt want to do five hour training walks in the summer heat, so i decided on doing the half instead.
at first i was going to do the trip alone but i ended up taking two oldest sons. we took the coast route up and it was beautiful. saw lovely coastlines, surfers sailing with kites and enjoyed the cool fresh air.
after eating in santa cruz, i decided to visit uc santa cruz. i havent been there since i was in college. my sophomore year, the all uc meet was in santa cruz.
i went to uc san diego, so we got to fly to the meet. sadly, i had never flown in a plane so all summer i trained hard to win my seat to the meet. i remember having to take a physics mid-term and then jumping into a van and barely getting to the airport on time.
my first flight was uneventful and the takeoff and landings just felt like a cheesy carnival ride for the most part. it was nice getting to san jose in so quickly though.
i barely remember the race except that it was hilly and there were a lot trees. the best part of the trip was getting to hang out at stanford with my old high school friends and going to a stanford football game.
now 20 plus years later, i am touring uc santa cruz with my teenage sons. the campus sits on a hill with a nice forest of trees. the campus is in the forest. it looked like a nice place to go despite their banana slug mascot.
then my mind changed forever. to leave campus, one must go down a very steep and long hill. wouldnt you know but santa cruz’s finest sits on the bottom of the hill.
i had my foot on the brake the whole way and i have never received a speeding ticket in my life. but they got me, i dont think i was speeding but they say i was. heck, they could have stopped everyone that goes down that road. when i left they had three of us. Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
07.22.08
Posted in Championships, Kern Track Results, Track Meets, Upcoming, Results, Clubs at 7:08 am by Administrator
Andrew Jimenez, 13, of Jacobsen Middle School of Tehachapi won his age group in the shot put at the Junior Olympics Region 14 Championship with a mark of 42 feet,1 1/4 inches uly 12 in Livermore. Jimenez qualified for the USA Track and Field National Championships in Omaha Nebraska.
* Gabriel Gaeta, a Freedom Middle School seventh-grader, won the Midget boys 80-meter hurdles race at the California State Games July 12 in Vista. Gaeta’s winning time was 13.20 seconds. He competed in a field of 16 hurdlers in the 11- and 12-year-old boys division.
Gaeta also won the 80-meter hurdles race, Midget division, at the Valley School Championships May 17 in Clovis. In addition, he won the 80-meter hurdles race at the Kern County Track and Field Championships May 10 at Liberty High School in Bakersfield.
The 12-year-old Bakersfield native is coached by Freedom Middle School teacher David Brown and Frontier High School track and field coach David Gaeta.
* Eight Kern County Firefighter Activity League athletes qualified to compete in the National Junior Olympics based on their performances at the Region 14 Championships July 11-13 in Livermore.
The KFAL’s boys intermediate 4×800 relay team won its division in 8 minutes, 34.33 seonds. Relay members were Caleb Barger, Francisco Nava, Marco Perez, Stephen Burke and Alejandro Hernandez.
Evan Eggenberg won the high jump 5-73/4 in the youth boys division.
Alyssa Bennett was third in the midget girls discus (69-61/4), and Kaulyn Lee-McNeill was third in the youth girls 200 (32.55).
Another winner was Erik Garcia of the McFarland Track Club in the youth boys 3,000 meters (9:53). Garcia also was third in the 1500 in 4:36
The McFarland Track Club’s midget boys 3,000 meters relay team of Abran Ayon, Christian Romero, Abel Mota, Daniel Garcia was second (10:37).
They all qualified for this week’s national Junior Olympics in Omaha, Neb.
* Bowen Anderson, 12, recently won the 80-meter hurdles and was third in the long jump and high jump in a West Coast championship meet. He will compete July 29 in a national pentathlon competition in Detroit.

Permalink
07.14.08
Posted in Schools, Championships, Taft, Olympics at 4:46 pm by Administrator
Dear Prospective Donor,
One of our own, Billy Nelson, is going to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China to represent our community and the United States of American in the Track & Field games. That is an accomplishment to be lauded greatly in and of itself, as Billy has been a decorated athlete both from the Wildcats of Taft Union High School and for the Buffaloes of Colorado and is continuing those accomplishments well thereafter. However, the predicament does not lay with Billy, per say. Rather, it is in getting his family (his soon-to-be wife, Alisa, his one year-old daughter, Arabella, and his mother, Rhonda, & stepfather, Bill) to China to be with Billy during this monumental, yet extremely trying time in each of their lives. It is for this reason I am writing you in hopes of garnering your assistance in sending them to Beijing along with Billy.
After researching the costs involved (i.e. airfare, hotel stay, meals, and transportation - not to mention the costs of obtaining their required passports and tourist visas), we’ve determined it is going to cost upwards of $15,000 to send Alisa, Arabella, Rhonda and Bill to Beijing for the Olympic Games. Our goal is to raise at least $10,000 to aid them in this endeavor.
Therefore, it is with an extremely humble, yet gracious heart that we ask for you assistance in making their Olympic dream come true. It is not very often that our own town sends an athlete to represent not only us, but our entire country on the world’s largest and most prestigious stage. This journey will be rewarding, yet mentally and physically arduous nonetheless, which is why we’re striving to send Billy’s family with him to these Olympic Games.
Should you be interested in assisting us in any matter, please find our contact information attached, along with information regarding the fund to which donations can be made. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and duly recognized. This is an event which is not only for Billy and his family, but for our community as well - a fact which Billy had overtly stressed in our discussions in this regard.
In closing, on behalf of Billy and his family, we extend our most sincere gratitude - as it is with your help and generosities that we will make this dream a reality.
Kindest Regards,
Bill & Rhonda Blythe, Josh Bryant, Don Schock, and (most importantly) Billy, Alisa, and Arabella.
Contact Information:
Josh Bryant
661-477-3230 (cell)
661-765-3058 (Work Office, Direct)
joshuarobertbryant@hotmail.com
josharobertbryant@gmail.com
Don Schock
661-979-1549 (cell)
661-765-5330 (Work)
dschock_30@hotmail.com
don@genprod.com
Donations Can Be Made to the Following:
“The Billy Nelson Olympic Fund”
United Security Bank
523 Cascade Place
Taft, Ca 93268
(661) 763-5151
We’re selling commemorative and supportive T-shorts to raise funds for Billy & his family! T-shirt’s are being prepared and distributed courtesy of Pride Athletics here in Taft for $15.00 each, IN ANY SIZE, with $10 from each shirt going to the fund and the rest covering the cost of the shirts themselves! Please give the Dayton’s a big hug & ‘Thank You” for their support while you’re buying your shirt, supporting our hometown hero, and supporting this great cause! Orders can be placed by contacting those above or by going directly to Pride Athletics, or by calling them at the number below.
Pride Athletics
716 Center St.
Taft, Ca 93268
(661) 765 - 9194
We’ll also be holding a car wash (or two) to help raise funds. Please contact us for more details.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP - WE APPRECIATE IT!!!!

Permalink
06.27.08
Posted in Schools, Championships, Kern Track Results, Track Meets, Upcoming, BHS, CSUB, Shafter, Taft, Olympics, Bakersfield at 5:53 am by Administrator
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Thomas Mack University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 13.74 - BAKERSFIELD HS
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase
William Nelson University of Colorado Longmont, CO 8:28.85 - TAFT HS (CE)
Men’s Shot Put
Chris Figures unattached Bakersfield, CA 20.38 - SOUTH HS (BAK)
Men’s Hammer Throw
Arnaldo Cueto unattached Bakersfield, CA 68.50 - CAL ST BAKERSFIELD - HS ??
Women’s Discus Throw
Rachel Varner unattached Bakersfield, CA 56.72 - BAKERSFIELD HS
Anastasia Jelmini unattached Bakersfield, CA 56.06 - SHAFTER HS
Cecilia Barnes unattached Bakersfield, CA 61.99 - CLOVIS WEST HS (FRESNO
california preps at the olympic trials HERE

Permalink
06.22.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Photos, Top 20 at 4:23 pm by Administrator
This is a view of my 20 most popular bits, ordered by the most views.
 |
#1: jason ward at kern invite
High school track and field leaders / Central Section
Batch Data Processor | Wednesday, Apr 25 2007 8:45 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Apr 25 2007 8:48 PM
Boys
100–Kyle Alston, Fresno-Roosevelt, 10.81a; Miles Jones, Fresno-Edison, 11.03a; Lampford…
• 1302 views / Nobody counts jason ward at kern invite as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#2: North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Girls - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1
Delano Diaz, Brianna 18:32:00 2 2 1
Shafter Wittenberg, Elizabeth 18:39:00 3 3…
• 1210 views / Nobody counts North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#3: fernado
Why, oh, why would people subject themselves to this?
“For the mud of it,” replied Volkslauf’s Sheena Crider.
In clear view of Lerdo Jail, ripped manly men and stick-thin teenagers blasted through mud pits on a cold, rainy Saturday that laughed at…
• 687 views / 3 people |
count this as a favorite / 0 comments
 |
#4: Stockdale Pennel, Shelbe 19:45:00 12 11 3
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Girls - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1
Delano Diaz, Brianna 18:32:00 2 2 1
Shafter Wittenberg, Elizabeth 18:39:00 3 3…
• 673 views / Nobody counts Stockdale Pennel, Shelbe 19:45:00 12 11 3 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#5: 2nd behind mcfarland - kern invite 2006
F/S Boys - 2006 Kern County Cross Country Championships
School Athlete Time
East Vincente Harrera 10:45.0
McFarland Eduardo Bautista 10:49.0
BHS Andrew Ariey 10:55.0
McFarland Gerardo Alcala 10:57.0
Centennial James Diller 10:57.1
McFarland Marco…
• 649 views / Nobody counts 2nd behind mcfarland - kern invite 2006 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#6: Ridgeview’s Dominique Lauderdale at area 100
Ridgeview’s Lauderdale sweeps girls 100, 200; Foothill’s Ragans wins shot put, discus
BY BRAD RIDDELL, Californian staff writer
e-mail: briddell@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, May 9 2007 11:05 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 9 2007 11:08 PM
A year…
• 637 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#7: Taft Union Thompson, Megan 19:52:00 14 13 1
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Girls - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1
Delano Diaz, Brianna 18:32:00 2 2 1
Shafter Wittenberg, Elizabeth 18:39:00 3 3…
• 597 views / Nobody counts Taft Union Thompson, Megan 19:52:00 14 13 1 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#8: thomas n haney
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Girls - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1
Delano Diaz, Brianna 18:32:00 2 2 1
Shafter Wittenberg, Elizabeth 18:39:00 3 3…
• 521 views / Nobody counts thomas n haney as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#9: mike n david at the Kern County Championships
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Boys - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
Foothill Schwartz, Chris 15:03 1 1 1
McFarland Cisneros, Alfonso 15:39 2 2 1
McFarland Garcia, Eddie 15:41 3 3 2
East…
• 488 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#10: Hassay, Jordan Mission Prep 10:20.86
Event 17 Girls 3200 Meter Run
# Name Year School Finals Points
1 Hassay, Jordan Mission Prep 10:20.86
2 Saylor, Lauren Buchanan 10:51.81
3 Marvin, Meaghan Clovis 10:53.75
4 Allen, Chloe Clovis West 11:11.56
5 Poindextwe, Megan Clovis…
• 480 views / Nobody counts Hassay, Jordan Mission Prep 10:20.86 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#11: Foothill High junior Dayshan Ragans
Ragans eyes ‘60-180 Club’
BY CARL BRYAN | Wednesday, Mar 21 2007 10:30 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Mar 21 2007 10:35 PM
Special to the Californian
Photos:
Photo by John Harte / The Californian
Foothill High junior Dayshan Ragans owns the Central…
• 475 views / Nobody counts Foothill High junior Dayshan Ragans as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#12: Centennial Baker-Steimer, Lizzy 19:10:00 6 6 2
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Girls - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1
Delano Diaz, Brianna 18:32:00 2 2 1
Shafter Wittenberg, Elizabeth 18:39:00 3 3…
• 453 views / Nobody counts Centennial Baker-Steimer, Lizzy 19:10:00 6 6 2 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#13: Edquist, Andrew 10 Bakersfield 4:56.10
Boys 1600 Meter Run Frosh/Soph
# Name Year School Finals
1 Carlos, Ricky 10 Warren 4:38.30
2 Block, Levi 9 Cabrillolom 4:39.92
3 Dotson, Greg 9 Burbank 4:43.33
4 Bradley, Steve 10 Newbury Park 4:44.77
5 Durand, Lewis 10 Calabasas 4:45.42
6…
• 442 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#14: chris schwartz
• 376 views / Nobody counts chris schwartz as a favorite / 1 comment |
 |
#15: erica silva
Bakersfield hopes sports get city’s ball rolling
Investing in Cal State Bakersfield’s step up to Division I athletics is seen as a way to fuel growth of a college-educated community.
By Ken Fowler
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 13, 2007
…
• 361 views / Nobody counts erica silva as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#16: Centennial Thomas, Ashley 19:04:00 4 4 1
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Girls - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
North Carlson, Candace 18:09:00 1 1 1
Delano Diaz, Brianna 18:32:00 2 2 1
Shafter Wittenberg, Elizabeth 18:39:00 3 3…
• 350 views / Nobody counts Centennial Thomas, Ashley 19:04:00 4 4 1 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#17: swyl 100
100–1. Lauderdale, Rid, 12.01; 2. R. Anderson, Stk, 12.07; 3. Bennett, Cent, 12.96
• 334 views / Nobody counts swyl 100 as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#18: cassandra salazar - shafter
Invitational Girls 3200 Meter
# Name Year School Finals
1 Megan Poindexter Clovis 11:31.21
2 Megan Marvin Clovis 11:31.60
3 Cassandra Salazar Shafter 11:36.78
4 Chelsea Janzen Buchanan 11:50.35
5 Kristen Kirby Buchanan 11:50.85
6 Katrina…
• 333 views / Nobody counts cassandra salazar - shafter as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#19: Anthony Rodriguez
Arm in arm, prep runners nearing the finish line
By ANDY KEHE, Californian staff columnist, email:akehe@bakersfield.com | Tuesday, May 1 2007 11:05 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 1 2007 11:25 PM
You might remember the story from a couple of years ago…
• 324 views / Nobody counts Anthony Rodriguez as a favorite / 0 comments |
 |
#20: kern invite champ - chris schwartz
Kern County Championships
Sat 10/27/07 - Hart Park - Bakersfield
Varsity Boys - 2007 Kern County Cross Country Championships
Foothill Schwartz, Chris 15:03 1 1 1
McFarland Cisneros, Alfonso 15:39 2 2 1
McFarland Garcia, Eddie 15:41 3 3 2
East…
• 320 views / Nobody counts kern invite champ - chris schwartz as a favorite / 0 comments |

Permalink
« Previous entries ·